Print position correction

ABSTRACT

A system and method for printing an indicia on a graphic medium is described. A print mechanism is operable for marking multiple printouts of the indicia at a target position on the graphic medium, and for outputting a printed media product. The printed media product has a first output group of the marked printouts, and continuous with the output of the first group of printouts, at least one output group of the printouts marked subsequent to the first output group. A controller is operable for adjusting the print mechanism in response to an input related to an evaluation of the printouts marked on the first output group. The adjustment conforms a position at which the printouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output group spatially to the target position.

TECHNOLOGY FIELD

The present invention relates generally to printing. More particularly,example embodiments of the present invention relate to correctingpositions for the printing of indicia.

BACKGROUND

Generally speaking, graphic media products comprise symbols, barcodes,text, and other indicia, which may be marked on a blank media substrateby a variety of printing systems. As used herein, the term “blank” mayrefer to a substantially unmarked substrate of the print medium. Theprint medium may comprise paper, plastic, and/or other markablematerials. For example, a printing system may mark paper based printmedia with an ink based marking material. The print system may comprisea media feeding mechanism and a media marking mechanism. As used herein,the term “mechanism” may refer to a functional component of a printersystem (“printer”).

The feed mechanism is operable for feeding, providing or supplying(“feeding”) a supply of the blank media substrate to the printmechanism. The feed mechanism may be operable using a force applied bytraction, or by another impetus. The print mechanism may comprise aprint head, which is operable for marking the barcode, text, or otherindicia onto the blank medium as it is moved into proximity therewith.The unmarked medium may be placed into proximity with the print headwith a platen, roller, gear, or other assembly, which may comprise acomponent of the feed mechanism (and/or of the print head, itself).

Prior to being fed into proximity with the printhead, the blank mediumsubstrate may be stored in a rolled configuration, which is disposed ona spool for presentation to the feed mechanism. Other media storageconfigurations may also (or alternatively) be used. For example, theblank media may comprise a plurality of individual flat planar sectionsfolded in alternate directions, relative to each other, and arrangedinto an “accordion” like configuration. The accordioned sections may bestored within a magazine, bin, box, or other storage containerassociated with the feed mechanism. The individual sections are unfoldedas the medium is fed into the printer.

Various printers are operable for marking media comprising othercorrespondingly compatible materials. For example, blank print mediaused with thermal printers may comprise a thermal marking ribbon and anassociated thermally-markable media substrate, which may be storedtogether on the roll, spool, or folded-feed magazines for supply to athermally operable printhead. The thermal printhead is operable forheating a portion of the area of the blank print medium substratecorresponding to a target (e.g., programmatically controlled orspecified) location at which a symbol or other portion of the barcode,text, or other indicia is to be printed. A visible marking material istransferred from the thermal marking ribbon to the locally heatedportion of the medium substrate.

Light emitting print heads may mark photosensitive mediaphotographically. For example, some lasers printheads may be operablefor marking media substrates comprising metallic and/or other materialsby etching associated with controlled deposition of high optical energyand related localized thermal effects. Some other laser printheads maybe used, in fact, to print encoded data patterns on media substratelayers corresponding to optically-encodable layers of a computerreadable storage medium, such as a Compact Disk (CD), Digital Versatile(or ‘Video’) Disk (DVD), Blu-ray Disk (BD), and/or other opticallyreadable media.

Some other print heads may also be operable for etching, or otherwisemarking media surfaces chemically. For example, the print heads maycontrollably deposit chemical etching agents (“etchants”), such assolvents or acids, over localized portions of acid-sensitive mediasubstrates, or a bleaching agent (“bleach”) over bleach-sensitive mediasubstrates.

Upon the printing of the graphic media product, the individual unfoldedsections, or sequential portions of roller-fed media, may be singulatedby cutting, tearing, or another separation technique into individualprinted media products. The individual printed media products are thusseparated from the remaining blank media supply (or a subsequent,sequential, and/or incompletely-printed section or portion thereof). Thesingulated printed media products may comprise labels.

The labels may be applied, affixed, and/or attached (“applied”) to anitem to provide information. The information may comprise, for example,identification, characterization, warnings, and/or other data relatedto, or associated with the item to which the label is applied.Contemporary media products comprise small labels, or larger labels thathave small margins.

As used herein, the term “small labels” may refer to two dimensional(2D) labels with at least one spatial dimension that measures less thana corresponding dimension of an item on which the label is to beaffixed, applied, and/or attached. As used herein, the term “largerlabels” may refer to 2D labels with at least one spatial dimension thatmeasures more than a corresponding dimension of a small label. As usedherein, the term “small margins” may refer to a substantiallynon-printed, and/or graphically blank and/or null area disposed about,around, bordering, circumscribing, delineating, and/or peripheral to anarea of the labels covered substantially by the printed barcodes, text,or other indicia.

The small labels may be intended to be applied to items such as, forexample, small containers used for dispensing medicines, which maycomprise narcotics, radiopharmaceuticals and other therapeutic ordiagnostic drugs. As such, the labels may be applied to the items forthe purpose of providing important information to users of the item. Theinformation may relate to the safe use of the items and/or precautions,“side-effects,” hazards, and/or dangers associated with using the item.In such uses, the print quality specifications may comprise significantrigor with respect to strictures for heightened levels of precisionrelated to the uniformity with which the markings are applied to thespecified target positions.

The print quality specifications may thus comprise significant rigorwith respect to strictures for heightened levels of precision related tothe uniformity with which the markings are applied to the specifiedtarget positions. The heightened strictures may also apply to some ofthe larger labels with small margins. For example, the larger labels maybe intended for application to “high end” items with fine externalappearances or other heightened aesthetic characteristics.

However, contemporary printers may tend to drift the position of aprintout of the text, barcodes, or other indicia marked on the printmedium. This ‘print position drift’ comprises a change in a position atwhich the printout is marked on the print medium, relative to theposition at which a corresponding printout is marked on a previous labelother product, or to a programmed, preferred, specified, or target(“specified target”) position on the surface area of the print medium atwhich the barcode, text, or other indicia is thus intended to beprinted.

The print position drift can lead to a visibly perceivablenon-uniformity between individual labels and other printed mediaproducts, which may be specified to conform to a uniform printedconfiguration. For example, the uniform printed configuration may bespecified to consistently, repeatedly, and/or continuously mark theprintout at the specified target position with an allowable level ofprecision. Non-uniform labels produced as a result of the print positiondrift may fail to conform to the specified uniform printed configurationand a related print quality specification.

The print position drift may be caused by changes in the amount of theprint medium remaining in a media storage magazine over time, whichchanges mechanical forces associated with the printer mechanism. Forexample, as the print mechanism operates over time, the blank printmedium is consumed in production of the labels or other printed mediaproducts. As the blank print medium is consumed, its remaining mass isdiminished over the printer operating time and thus, comprises lessweight to be moved by, and/or exerts less drag on, a component of thefeed mechanism.

Some contemporary printers implement a mechanical approach to addressingthe quality issues posed by the print position drift. For example, the‘Intermec-3240’™ printer (commercially available from Honeywell™International, a corporation in New Jersey) comprises a mechanicalfeature, with which an operator may attempt to re-adjust the position ofthe printout over a successive printing of increasing numbers of labelsand/or other printing products from the roll or other media substratesupply. As used herein, the term “operator” may refer to (a) user(s) ofthe printer system.

However, the mechanical features with which the operator may implementthe adjustments add both cost and complexity to the printer systems, andmay introduce associated reliability and maintenance issues, withadditional associated costs. Moreover, such features may focus theongoing attention of the operator upon monitoring the position of theprintouts over at least significant portions of the duration of theprinting. As such, the operator's attention may thus be directed awayfrom other significant activities, endeavors, jobs, opportunities,and/or tasks, with even further associated expenses.

It could be useful, therefore, to adjust the print position on a labelduring a printing of a sequence or other plurality of labels or otherprinted media products. It would also be useful to control or direct theprinting of each of the labels (or other printed media products)“properly,” relative to an intended, or specified target printedconfiguration, and/or in conformance with a quality specification.Further, it would be useful to adjust the printing, and to control ordirect the printing quality of the labels (or other printed mediaproducts) without requiring modification of print job data streams,interruption of ongoing production processes, and/or without demandingundo focus of operator attention or an intervention by an administrator.

SUMMARY

Accordingly, in one aspect, an example embodiment of the presentinvention relates to a method for adjusting a print position on a labelduring a printing of a sequence or other plurality of labels or otherprinted media products (“labels”).

An example embodiment of the present invention also relates to exertingcontrol over a direction of the printing of each of the labels, relativeto an intended and/or specified target printed configuration, and/or inconformance with a print related quality specification.

Further, an example embodiment of the present invention relates toadjusting the printing, and to controlling and/or directing the printingquality without modifying print job data streams, interrupting ongoingproduction processes, and/or without undo focus of operator attention oran intervention by an administrator.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a system forprinting an indicia on a graphic medium. The printing system comprises aprint mechanism and a controller. The print mechanism is operable formarking a plurality of printouts of the indicia at a target position onthe graphic medium, and for outputting a corresponding printed mediaproduct. The printed media product comprises a first output group of themarked printouts, and continuous with the output of the first group ofprintouts, at least one output group of the printouts marked subsequentto the first output group. The controller is operable for adjusting theprint mechanism in response to an input related to an evaluation of theprintouts marked on the first output group. The adjusting of the printmechanism conforms a position at which the printouts are marked in theat least one subsequent output group spatially to the target position.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method forprinting. The method comprises a process performed by the printingsystem, summarized above.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a mediaproduct comprising an indicia printed on a graphic medium. The mediaproduct is printed by the method summarized above.

Embodiments of the present invention are thus useful, for example, inprinting small labels, and labels upon which the text, barcodes, and/orother graphics or indicia that fill most of the area of the label, whichhas a small margin. Example embodiments of the present invention mayalso thus reduce waste related to improper, non-conforming, or otherwisedefective labels, and thus avoid associated delays and correspondingexpense. Further, example embodiments of the present invention may thusprevent or reduce delays in the print jobs and associated printingsystem downtime, diversions of operator attention ore administratorintervention, and costs associated with both.

The foregoing illustrative summary, as well as other example features,functions and/or aspects of embodiments of the invention, and the mannerin which the same are accomplished, are further explained within thefollowing detailed description of example embodiments and each figure(“FIG.”) of the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of an example printing system, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2A depicts a flowchart for an example printing method, according toan embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2B depicts a printing showing an example of print position drift;

FIG. 2C depicts the example printing method in use and correcting theprint position drift, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention;

FIG. 3A depicts an example bulk print media product, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3B depicts example singulated print media product, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3C depicts an example centered printout on the print media product,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3D depicts an example off-center printout on the print mediaproduct, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4A depicts an example ‘small’ label type media product, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 4B depicts the example small label, in situ, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5A depicts an example ‘large’ label type media product, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 5B depicts the example ‘small’ label, in situ, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6A depicts an example 1D ‘drag’ mode media product, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6B depicts an example 1D ‘picket fence’ mode media product,according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6C depicts an example 2D media product, according to an embodimentof the present invention;

FIG. 6D depicts an example text based media product, according to anembodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 7 depicts an example computer and network, with which an embodimentof the present invention may be practiced;

FIG. 8 depicts an example GUI, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention; and

FIG. 9 depicts an example product examiner, according to an embodimentof the present invention.

DESCRIPTION OF EXAMPLE EMBODIMENTS

Example embodiments of the present invention are described in relationto systems and methods for printing an indicia on a graphic medium. Inan example embodiment, a system for printing the indicia on the graphicmedium comprises a print mechanism and a controller. The printing systemcomprises a print mechanism and a controller. The print mechanism isoperable for marking a plurality of printouts of the indicia at a targetposition on the graphic medium, and for outputting a correspondingprinted media product. The printed media product comprises a firstoutput group of the marked printouts, and continuous with the output ofthe first group of printouts, at least one output group of the printoutsmarked subsequent to the first output group. The controller is operablefor adjusting the print mechanism in response to an input related to anevaluation of the printouts marked on the first output group. Theadjusting of the print mechanism conforms a position at which theprintouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output groupspatially to the target position.

Embodiments of the present invention may thus be useful, for example, inprinting small labels, and labels upon which the text, barcodes, and/orother graphics or indicia that fill most of the area of the label, whichhas a small margin. Example embodiments of the present invention mayalso thus reduce waste related to improper, non-conforming, or otherwisedefective labels, and thus avoid associated delays and correspondingexpense. Further, example embodiments of the present invention may thusprevent or reduce delays in the print jobs and associated printingsystem downtime, diversions of operator attention ore administratorintervention, and costs associated with both.

Overview.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a system forprinting an indicia on a graphic medium. The printing system comprises aprint mechanism and a controller. The printing system comprises a printmechanism and a controller. The print mechanism is operable for markinga plurality of printouts of the indicia at a target position on thegraphic medium, and for outputting a corresponding printed mediaproduct. The printed media product comprises a first output group of themarked printouts, and continuous with the output of the first group ofprintouts, at least one output group of the printouts marked subsequentto the first output group. The controller is operable for adjusting theprint mechanism in response to an input related to an evaluation of theprintouts marked on the first output group. The adjusting of the printmechanism conforms a position at which the printouts are marked in theat least one subsequent output group spatially to the target position.

The target position may comprise an area of a surface of a substrate ofthe graphic medium over which the marking is designated for each of theprintouts. The graphic medium substrate comprises a first edge and asecond edge, the second edge parallel to and opposite from the firstedge. The area of the target position comprises an upper bound separatedby a first designated distance from the first edge of the graphic mediumsubstrate, and/or a lower bound separated by a second designateddistance from the first edge of the graphic medium substrate.

The system may further comprise a feed mechanism operable for supplyingthe graphic medium substrate to the print mechanism. The adjusting ofthe print mechanism may comprise a response to a change in an operatingcharacteristic of the feed mechanism.

The printed media product may comprise a plurality of labels. Theindicia may comprise one or more symbols. For example, the symbols maycomprise text based information, and/or ideographic, pictographic, oremblematic based graphics, images, or data patterns. The indicia maycomprise a one dimensional (1D) data pattern such as a bar code, or atwo dimensional (2D) data pattern such as a matrix code.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the system comprises agraphical user interface (GUI) operable for inputting a signal relatingto the evaluation of the printouts marked on the first output group. TheGUI is further operable for displaying an indication relating to theadjusting of the print mechanism. For example, the indication may relateto a degree of adjustment corresponding to the adjusting of the printmechanism.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method forprinting an indicia on a graphic medium. The printing method maycomprise a process of the printing system described above.

The printing method comprises marking a plurality of printouts of theindicia at a target position on a substrate of the graphic medium. Thetarget position comprises an area of a surface of the substrate of thegraphic medium over which the marking is designated for each of theprintouts. A first output group of the marked printouts is produced(e.g., outputted). Upon the outputting of the first output group of themarked printouts, and continuous therewith (e.g., without anyintermediary pause), at least one output group of the printouts isproduced, which is marked subsequent to the first output group. Themarking of the printouts of the indicia is adjusted in response to aninput, which is based on an evaluation of the printouts marked on thefirst output group. The adjustment relates to conforming a position atwhich the printouts are marked in the at least one subsequent outputgroup, spatially, with the target position.

The graphic medium substrate comprises a first edge and a second edge.The second edge is parallel to, and opposite from the first edge. Thearea of the target position may comprise an upper bound separated by afirst designated distance from the first edge of the graphic mediumsubstrate, and/or a lower bound separated by a second designateddistance from the first edge of the graphic medium substrate. Theprinting method may further comprise feeding the graphic mediumsubstrate, e.g., to a print head, for the marking of the printouts ofthe indicia. The adjusting of the marking of the printouts may comprisea response to a change in a characteristic of the feeding of the graphicmedium substrate.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a mediaproduct comprising an indicia printed on a graphic medium. The mediaproduct is printed by the method summarized above.

Example Printing System.

FIG. 1 depicts a flowchart of an example printing system 100, accordingto an embodiment of the present invention. The printing system 100comprises a print mechanism 122 and a controller 144.

The print mechanism 122 is operable for marking a plurality of printoutsof the indicia at a target position on the graphic medium 103, and foroutputting a corresponding printed media product 31. The printed mediaproduct comprises a first output group of the marked printouts (e.g.,printouts 221; FIG. 2C), and continuous with the output of the firstgroup of printouts, at least one output group of the printouts (e.g.,printouts 223; FIG. 2C) marked subsequent to the first output group.

The controller 144 is operable for adjusting the print mechanism 122 inresponse to an input 135, which relates to an evaluation of theprintouts marked on the first output group. The controller 144 mayoutput a print adjustment control signal 145 based on receipt of theinput 135. The adjusting of the print mechanism conforms a position atwhich the printouts are marked in the at least one subsequent outputgroup spatially in relation to the target position, responsive to theprint mechanism 122 receiving the print adjustment control signal 145.

A substantially blank print media substrate 102 is supplied from a mediastorage 101. As used in this sense, the term “substantially blank”refers to the media substrate 102 comprising an unmarked state inrelation to any printed indicia, except for any identifiers,descriptors, and/or “watermarks” or other security (or other) features,which if present, are intended to typically escape common perceptualnotice not directed specifically thereto. The substantially blank mediasubstrate comprises, in this sense, virgin media ready to be marked withthe printed indicia.

The blank medium substrate 102 may be stored in a rolled configuration,which is disposed on a spool for presentation to the feed mechanism 111,or stored in another media storage modality 101, such as a magazine,bin, box, etc. An example embodiment may be implemented in which theblank media comprises a plurality of individual flat planar sectionsfolded in alternate directions, relative to each other, and arrangedinto an “accordion” like configuration and unfolded as the medium is fedinto the printer.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the print mediumsubstrate 102 comprises a thermally sensitive material, and the printmechanism 122 comprises a thermally operable (“thermal”) printhead. Themarking of the plurality of printouts of the indicia may thus comprise athermal marking process or technique. For example, the thermal printheadmay selectively heat specific points or regions of an area of thethermally sensitive media, which upon the heating, may be marked by apicture element (pixel) or other portion of the indicia.

The thermal media substrate may comprise a single layer of thermallysensitive paper or other material, which upon the heating changes from alight color or shade corresponding to the virgin media substrate to adarkened color or shade, or vice versa. For example, thermally sensitivematerial, upon the heating, may change from a dark color or shadecorresponding to another virgin media substrate to a lightened color orshade. Alternatively, the thermal media substrate may comprise a baselayer and a thermal transfer material, which transfers a mark onto theselectively heated surface of the substrate base layer.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the print mediumsubstrate comprises a paper material and/or a plastic material. Themarking of the plurality of printouts of the indicia comprises markingthe print medium substrate with a compatible marking agent or relatedmaterial. For example, ink based marking agents may be compatible withpaper based print medium substrates.

The printing system 100 may further comprise a feed mechanism 111operable for supplying the graphic medium substrate 103 to the printmechanism 122. The adjusting of the print mechanism 122 may comprise aresponse to a change in an operating characteristic of the feedmechanism 111.

Upon the marking of the media substrate 103, the print mechanism 122outputs a bulk output print product 31. A direction of feed and printing699 applies to the movement of the substantially blank media substrate102, the fed blank media substrate 103, and the bulk output mediaproduct 31, which may each comprise a continuous web or relatedconfiguration.

FIG. 3A depicts an example bulk print media product 31, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The bulk output media product 31may comprise a web or related configuration of printed labels 311, 312and 313, which may represent any positive number of printed mediaproducts that is greater than one. The bulk media product 31 may besupplied to a singulator 155.

The singulator 155 is operable for singulating the bulk media product 31into a plurality of separate printed media products 32, such as theindividual labels 311, 312, and 313. FIG. 3B depicts example singulatedprint media products 32, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention.

The singulator may singulate the individual labels 311, 312 and 313using cutting or tearing the substrate material of the bulk mediaproduct 31 (or by dissolving an insignificant portion of the substrate)along the abutting edges of each of the individual media products 311,312, and 313. A product output dispenser 199 may then stack, bundle,and/or distribute the singulated printed media products as a package191.

The target position may comprise an area of a surface of a substrate ofthe graphic medium over which the marking is designated for each of theprintouts. FIG. 3C depicts an example centered printout 333 on the printmedia product, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Thesubstrate of the graphic media products 31 and 32 comprises a first edge381, and a second edge 389. The second edge 389 is parallel to andopposite from the first edge 381. Relative to the orientation of theindicia marked in the printout area 335, e.g., in which text symbols maybe read (and/or graphic symbols observed) in a “right-side-up”orientation, the first edge 381 may comprise an “upper” edge, and thesecond edge 389 may comprise a “lower” edge, of the media products 31(and 32).

A target area 366 corresponds to (e.g., matches spatially, covered by)the target position comprises an upper bound separated by a firstdesignated distance, e.g., three vertical displacement units, from thefirst edge 331 of the graphic medium substrate, and a lower boundseparated by a second designated distance, e.g., also three verticaldisplacement units, from the first edge of the graphic medium substrate.In the centered printout 333, the printout 335 is positioned on, over,or within the target area 366. As used herein the term “centered” refersto the marking of the printout within the target position, disposed overthe area 366, and thus, with equidistant separation from the first edge381 and the second edge 389.

Print position drift may cause the position at which the printout areais marked to drift against the direction 699 of media movementvertically towards the upper edge 381. The position at which theprintout area is marked may also drift vertically with the direction 699of media movement towards the lower edge 389, horizontally andperpendicular, in either lateral direction, to the media movementdirection 699, or over a diagonal or angular direction relative thereto.

For example, over an extended printing time, the position at which theprintout area 355 is marked drifts vertically with respect to the targetprint area 366, towards the upper edge 381, and becomes off-center. FIG.3D depicts an example off-center printout 399 on one or more of theprint media products 31, 32. While the vertical displacement of theprintout area 335 from the lower edge 389 has increased to five verticaldisplacement units in the off-center printout 399, its verticaldisplacement from the upper edge 381 has decreased to one unit.

In example embodiments of the present invention, the controller 144adjusts the print mechanism 122 in response to an input 135, which basedon an evaluation of the printouts marked on the first output group, isdirected to ameliorating or eliminating the printout drift. A positionat which the printouts are marked in the at least one subsequent outputgroup is conformed spatially in relation to (e.g., with) the targetposition. Example embodiments thus re-center the printout 335 inrelation to the target area 366.

The printed media product may comprise a plurality of labels. Forexample, each of the labels may comprise a ‘small’ label. FIG. 4Adepicts an example ‘small’ label type media product 40, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The small label 40 comprisesinformation 44 printed over a background 42. FIG. 4B depicts the examplesmall label 40, in situ, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. The small label 40 is applied to an item of a correspondinglyor compatibly small size. For example, the small item 41 may comprise amedicine bottle (which is depicted with a compatible cap 43).

Alternatively, each of the labels may comprise a ‘large’ label. FIG. 5Adepicts an example ‘large’ label type media product 50, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The large label comprises a ‘small’margin 51 about the indicia, such as the printed information 55. FIG. 5Bdepicts the example ‘large’ label 50, in situ, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The large label 50 is applied to anitem 59 of a correspondingly or compatibly large size, such as a box,crate or other package, or a piece of large machinery, such as avehicle.

The indicia may comprise one or more symbols. For example, the symbolsmay comprise text based information, such as alphanumeric, and/orcharacter or syllabary based text. The symbol may also (oralternatively) comprise ideographic, pictographic, or emblematic basedgraphics, images, or data patterns.

FIG. 6A depicts an example 1D bar code pattern 610, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The 1D bar code symbol 610 isdepicted as though printed in a ‘ladder’ or ‘drag’ mode on the printmedium 611.

FIG. 6B depicts another example 1D bar code pattern 620, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The 1D bar code symbol 622 isdepicted as though printed in a ‘picket fence’ mode on a print medium622.

The bar code symbols 610 and 620 each comprise a plurality of barelements 66 a and a plurality of space elements 68 b. The space elements68 b are disposed in parallel with the bar elements 66 a. In the dragmode, the bar code symbol 610 is printed parallel to the direction ofprinting 699. In the picket fence mode, the bar code symbol 620 isprinted in a perpendicular orientation to the direction of printing 699.

The bar code symbols 610 and 620 may each comprise data patterns relatedto, for example, an International (or “European”) Article Number and/orUniversal Product Code (EAN/UPC symbology) pattern, PDF417 (ISO/EC-15438related) pattern, which comprise four of the vertical bar like symbols66 a disposed over 17 of the horizontally disposed spacer symbols 68 b),1D dot code pattern, or other 1D symbols.

FIG. 6C depicts an example 2D matrix code pattern 650, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The 2D matrix code pattern 650comprises a matrix of 2D graphic symbol parts, such as squares and otherrectangle and polygons, printed on a print medium 655. The matrix datapattern 650 may comprise a 2D data pattern related to, for example,quick-response (QR) and/or Han Xin graphical or geometric data matrices,or other 2D symbols.

FIG. 6D depicts an example text based code pattern 640, according to anembodiment of the present invention. The text based code pattern 640comprises alphanumeric, character, or syllabary based text or other textrelated graphic symbol parts (e.g., OCR patterns), printed on a printmedium 644. The code pattern 640 may comprise human readable and opticalcharacter recognition (OCR) readable symbol parts, such as numbers,letters, characters, and syllables printed on a print medium 644. Thedata pattern 640 may comprise a 2D data pattern related to, for example,OCR-B or OCR-A, or other 2D symbols.

The print media 611, 622, 644, and 655 each move longitudinally in adirection 699 of respective printing operations. The print media 611,622, 644, and 655 may each comprise paper for receiving ink basedmarkings, thermally sensitive paper, or plastic or other material. Theprint media 611, 622, 644, and 655 may be disposed in a webconfiguration, which is significantly longer than it is wide. Thedirection of printing 699 is parallel to a longitudinal axis of theprint media 611, 622, 644, and 655, along which the media move.

The printing system 100 prints the symbols 610, 620, 640, and 650 on therespective web media 611, 622, 644, and 655 according to a printingprocess (e.g., method 20; FIG. 2A). An example embodiment may beimplemented in which print logic generates a print command based on areference pattern, to be printed centered in the target position. Theprint command and related reference pattern is used by a print driver toactivate and energize print elements of the printing mechanism 112.

Responsive to the print command, for example, the activated andenergized print mechanism 112 marks a part of the bar codes 610 and 620,matrix code 650 and/or text pattern 640 based on the reference pattern305 and the media 611, 622, 644, and/or 655, respectively, advance inthe direction 699. Each time that the media is advanced, a print driveractivates elements of the print mechanism 112 for the marking ofsubsequent bar elements 66 a, and spacing of parallel space elements 66b, onto a segment (e.g., portion) onto the media 611, 622, and 655,and/or the text pattern portions onto the medium 644.

As the printed portions of the media 611, 622, 644 and 655 advancethrough the print mechanism, the bulk printed media product 31 isproduced. With ‘linear’ operable image heads, successive scan images ofthe printed element may be buffered sequentially into the scan memoryarea in a correspondence with the succession. The print command may bestored in a command related memory area.

An example embodiment may be implemented for use with a graphical userinterface (GUI), which may be rendered graphically and actuatedhaptically by an operator of the printing system 100. FIG. 8 depicts anexample GUI 80, according to an embodiment of the present invention. TheGUI is operable for inputting a signal relating to the evaluation of theprintouts marked on the first output group. For example, the GUI 80comprises a decrease actuator 81 and an increase actuator 82.

The increase actuator 82 is operable for inputting a command to thecontroller 144 relating to adjusting the position for the marking of theprintout with an increase in the vertical distance to the upper edge ofthe print media product. The decrease actuator 82 is operable forinputting a command to the controller 144 relating to adjusting theposition for the marking of the printout with a decrease in the verticaldistance to the upper edge of the print media product.

The GUI 80 is further operable for displaying an indication 88 relatingto tracking the adjusting of the print mechanism. For example, theindication may relate to a degree of adjustment corresponding to theadjusting of the print mechanism, such as steps of increase and/or stepsof decrease in relation to the position of the print in relation to theupper edge of the print medium.

The printing system may also comprise a product examiner 133 operablefor examining the printouts of the bulk media product 31 (and/or thesingulated media products 32) in relation to the marking of theprintouts on the target position. FIG. 9 depicts an example productexaminer 133, according to an embodiment of the present invention. Theproduct examiner 133 may be configured in electronic or computer basedhardware, software stored physically (e.g., electronically, optically,electromagnetically) in non-transitory computer readable storage mediasuch as dynamic memory, flash memory, drives, caches, buffers,registers, latches, memory cells, or the like.

The product examiner 133 comprises a product observer 91. An exampleembodiment may be implemented in which the product observer 91 comprisesa camera (e.g., camera 766; FIG. 7). The product observer 91 is operablefor observing the printed media products as it moves in the print andfeed direction 699 and providing a corresponding print productobservation signal 96 to a print evaluator 92. The print evaluator 92 isoperable for evaluating the print media products based on processingperformed over the print product observation signal 92.

For example, upon receiving the print product observation signal 95, theproduct evaluator may query a print product configuration database 94 inrelation thereto. For any given type, size, style, or othercharacteristic of the printout, the database 94 stores physically storesa corresponding configuration in a non-transitory computer readablestorage medium.

In response to the query, the database 94 returns a configuration model90 to the print evaluator 92. The returned configuration model 90comprises a description related to the target position specified for theobserved printouts, e.g., in relation to a vertical distance specifiedfor the printouts from the upper edge of the print medium.

The product evaluator 92 may then compute an evaluation of the observedprint products based on a comparison of characteristic of the printoutsascertained from the processing of the print product observation signal96 to the returned configuration model 90. The product evaluator 92outputs a print product evaluation signal 98 to a print controladjustment (PCA) input signal generator 93. Based on the print productevaluation signal 98, the PCA input signal generator 93 outputs theprint adjustment control input 135 to the controller 144.

In an example embodiment, the GUI 80 may provide a print adjustmentcontrol selection 988 to the PCA input signal generator 93, which mayaugment, adjust, or over-ride the generation of the PCA input signal 98in the generating of the print adjustment control input 135.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a method forprinting an indicia on a graphic medium. The printing method maycomprise a process of the printing system described above. FIG. 2Adepicts a flowchart for an example printing method 20, according to anembodiment of the present invention.

The printing method comprises a step 21 for marking a plurality ofprintouts of the indicia at a target position on a substrate of thegraphic medium. The target position comprises an area of a surface ofthe substrate of the graphic medium over which the marking is designatedfor each of the printouts.

In a step 22, a first output group of the marked printouts is produced(e.g., outputted). Upon the outputting of the first output group of themarked printouts, and continuous therewith (e.g., without anyintermediary pause), at least one output group of the printouts isproduced in a step 24. The at least one output group is markedsubsequent to the first output group.

In a step 23, the marking of the printouts of the indicia is adjusted inresponse to an input related to an evaluation of the printouts marked onthe first output group. The adjustment conforms a position at which theprintouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output group,spatially, to the target position.

The graphic medium substrate comprises a first edge and a second edge.The second edge is parallel to, and opposite from the first edge. Thearea of the target position may comprise an upper bound separated by afirst designated distance from the first edge of the graphic mediumsubstrate, and/or a lower bound separated by a second designateddistance from the first edge of the graphic medium substrate. Theprinting method may further comprise feeding the graphic mediumsubstrate, e.g., to a print head, for the marking of the printouts ofthe indicia. The adjusting of the marking of the printouts may comprisea response to a change in a characteristic of the feeding of the graphicmedium substrate.

FIG. 2B depicts a printing 210 showing an example of print positiondrift. Initially, the printed media product outputs 211 are centered(e.g., as shown in FIG. 3C) in relation to the target print position asthe print products move in the direction 699 of printing and media feed.Over print time however, large numbers (e.g., hundreds) of printproducts may be produced and print position drift may occur. Thus, someof the print products 212 (or images thereof, e.g., observed by theproduct observer 91) may show a displacement towards the upper surfaceof the media substrate.

If the printout position drift remains uncorrected, subsequent printouts213 may deteriorate to the point at which a portion of the printout ispositioned outside of the media substrate and thus are not printed. Themedia products may fail to comply with a quality specification and/ormay be substandard aesthetically and/or in relation to legibility of theprinted indicia. Example embodiments of the present invention allow thiscondition to be corrected or ameliorated.

FIG. 2C depicts the example printing method in a use 220, which correctsthe print position drift, according to an embodiment of the presentinvention. Initially, the printed media product outputs 221 are centered(e.g., as shown in FIG. 3C) in the target print position. Over the printtime, large numbers (e.g., hundreds) of print products may be producedand print position drift may begin to develop.

However, example embodiments function at a moment 223 of the print time,without interrupting the printing or the movement of the print productsin the direction 699, to adjust the position of the marking of theprintout. Thus, the position at which the printouts are marked on themedia substrate is realigned with the target print position.

Hundreds more media products may be printed as the print time continuesand the print position drift may begin to develop again. The exampleembodiments function at a moment 225 of the print time, withoutinterrupting the printing or the movement of the print products in thedirection 699, to again adjust the position of the marking of theprintout. Thus, the position at which the printouts are marked on themedia substrate is realigned yet again with the target print position.

An example embodiment of the present invention relates to a mediaproduct comprising an indicia printed on a graphic medium. The mediaproduct is printed by the method 20 described above. For example, themedia products printed by the method 20 may comprise any of the mediaproducts described herein with reference to FIG. 1, 2C, 3A, 3B, 3C, 4A,4B, 5A, 5B, 6A, 6B, 6C, 6D, and/or FIG. 9, inclusive.

Example Computer and Network Platform.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which one or more componentsof the printing system 100 (e.g., product examiner 133) are configuredin electronic or computer based hardware, software stored physically(e.g., electronically, optically, electromagnetically) in non-transitorycomputer readable storage media such as dynamic memory, flash memory,drives, caches, buffers, registers, latches, memory cells, or the like.

FIG. 7 depicts an example computer and network platform 700, with whichan embodiment of the present invention may be practiced. The computerand network platform 700 comprises a first computer system (“computer”)701 and a data communication network 788.

The computer 701 comprises one or more components of the printer system100 (e.g., product examiner 133). The computer 701 also comprises atouchscreen display 725. An example embodiment may be implemented inwhich the GUI 80 is rendered and actuated by the touchscreen display725. The computer 701 may also comprise a camera 766. An exampleembodiment may be implemented in which the product observer 91 (FIG. 9)comprises the camera 766.

The network 788 may comprise a packet-switched data network operablebased on transfer control and internetworking protocols (e.g., TCP/IP).The computer 701 may be coupled communicatively, and exchange datasignals, over the data communication network 788 with at least a secondcomputer 798, which is coupled communicatively with the data network788.

The data network 788 may comprise a portion of one or more othernetworks and/or two or more sub-network (“subnet”) components. Forexample, the data network 788 may comprise a portion of the internetand/or a particular wide area network (WAN). The network 788 may alsocomprise one or more WAN and/or local area network (LAN) subnetcomponents. Portions of the data network 788 may be operable wirelesslyand/or with wireline related means. The data network 788 may alsocomprise, at least in part, a communication network such as a digitaltelephone network.

An example embodiment may be implemented in which the computer 701 isoperable for sending data to the computer 798 in relation to theoperations of the print system 100 over the data network 788. Thecomputer 798 may then store printer system operation related data in thedatabase 777, from which it may be retrieved at a later time. Thecomputer 701 may be operable for presenting a query to the computer 798for input to the database 777, and for receiving corresponding replies,over the data communications network 788. An example embodiment may beimplemented in which the product configuration database 94 is related to(e.g., comprises a component of, mirrors, or is mirrored by) thedatabase 777.

The computer 701 comprises a plurality of electronic components, each ofwhich is coupled to a data bus 702. The data bus 702 is operable forallowing each of the multiple, various electronic components of computer701 to exchange data signals with each of the other electroniccomponents.

The electronic components of the computer 701 may comprise integratedcircuit (IC) devices, including one or more microprocessors. Theelectronic components of the computer 701 may also comprise other ICdevices, such as a microcontroller, field-programmable gate array (FPGA)or other programmable logic device (PLD) or application-specific IC(ASIC).

The microprocessors may comprise a central processing unit (CPU) 704.The CPU 704 is operable for performing general data processing functionsrelated to operations of the GRUI and other components of the computer701. The electronic components of the computer 701 may also comprise oneor more other processors 744.

For example, the other microprocessors may comprise a graphicsprocessing unit (GPU) and/or digital signal processor (DSP) 704, whichare each operable for performing data processing functions that may besomewhat more specialized than the general processing functions, as wellas sometimes sharing some processing functions with the CPU 704.

One of the processors 744 may also be operable as a “math” (mathematics)coprocessor. The math co-processor, DSP and/or GPU (“DSP/GPU”) 744 areoperable for performing computationally intense data processing. Thecomputationally intense processing may relate to imaging, imageevaluation, graphics, dimension measurements, wireframe manipulations,coordinate system management, control, and other (e.g., mathematical,financial) information. One of the microprocessors may comprise an imageprocessor 733, which is operable for processing the images and videofeed from the camera 766.

The data processing operations comprise computations performedelectronically by the image processor 333, CPU 704, and the DSP/GPU 744.The microprocessors may comprise components operable as an ALU, a FPU,and associated memory cells. The memory cells comprise non-transitorydata storage media, which may be configured as caches (e.g., “L1,”“L2”), registers, latches and/or buffers.

The memory cells are operable for storing data electronically inrelation to various functions of the processor. A translationallook-aside buffer (TLB) may be operable for optimizing efficiency of useof content-addressable memory (CAM) by the CPU 704, and/or the DSP/GPU744, etc.

The computer 701 also comprises non-transitory computer readable storagemedia operable for storing data, e.g., electronically. For example, thecomputer readable storage media comprises a main memory 706, such as arandom access memory (RAM) or other dynamic storage medium. The mainmemory 706 is coupled to data bus 702 for storing information andinstructions, which are to be executed by the CPU 704.

The main memory 706 may also be used for storing temporary variables orother intermediate information during execution of instructions by theCPU 704. Other memories (represented in the present description withreference to the RAM 706) may be installed for similar uses by theDSP/GPU 744.

The printing evaluation system 300 further comprises a read-only memory(ROM) 708 or other static storage medium coupled to the data bus 702.The ROM 708 is operable for storing static information and instructionsfor use by the CPU 704. In addition to the RAM 706 and the ROM 708, thenon-transitory storage media may comprise at least one data storagedevice 710. The data storage device 710 is operable for storinginformation and instructions and allowing access thereto.

The data storage device 710 may comprise a magnetic disk drive, flashdrive, or optical disk drive (or other non-transitory computer readablestorage medium). The data storage device 710 comprises non-transitorymedia coupled to data bus 702, and may be operable for providing a“virtual memory” function. The virtual memory operations of the storagedevice 710 may supplement, at least temporarily, storage capacity ofother non-transitory media, such as the RAM 706.

The non-transitory storage media comprises instructions 783, which arestored (e.g., electronically, magnetically, optically, physically, etc.)in relation to software for programming, controlling, and/or configuringoperations of the computer 701 and its components, including theprinting system 100, the camera 766, the GUI 80, etc. The instructions783 may also relate to the performance of one or more steps of theprinting method 20 (FIG. 2A).

Instructions, programming, software, settings, values, andconfigurations, etc. related to the method 20, the printing system 100and its components, and other operations of the computer 701 are stored(e.g., magnetically, electronically, optically, physically, etc.) by thestorage medium 710, memory, etc.

The computer 701 comprises a user-interactive display configured as thetouchscreen 725, which is operable as a combined display and GUI (e.g.,GUI 80; FIG. 8). The touchscreen 725 may comprise a liquid crystaldisplay (LCD), which is operable for rendering images by modulatingvariable polarization states of an array of liquid crystal transistorcomponents. The touchscreen 725 also comprises an interface operable forreceiving haptic inputs from a user.

The haptic interface of the GUI 80 and touchscreen 725 may comprise,e.g., at least two arrays of microscopic (or transparent) conductors,each of which is insulated electrically from the other and disposedbeneath a surface of the display 725 in a perpendicular orientationrelative to the other. The haptic inputs comprise pressure applied tothe surface of the touchscreen 725 and GUI 80, which cause correspondinglocal changes in electrical capacitance values proximate to the pressureapplication that are sensed by the conductor grids to effectuate asignal corresponding to the input.

The touchscreen display component 725 and GUI 80 are operable forrendering an interactive surface for receiving user inputs relating tothe actuators 81 and 82 and for rendering the adjustment tracker 88(FIG. 8). Images and video received from the camera 766 may also bepresented on the display 725.

The touchscreen 725 may be implemented operably for rendering imagesover a heightened (e.g., high) dynamic range (HDR). The rendering of theimages may also be based on modulating a back-light unit (BLU). Forexample, the BLU may comprise an array of light emitting diodes (LEDs).The LCDs may be modulated according to a first signal and the LEDs ofthe BLU may be modulated according to a second signal. The touchscreen725 may render an HDR image by coordinating the second modulation signalin real time, relative to the first modulation signal.

Other display technologies may also (or alternatively) be used. Forexample, the display 725 may comprise an organic LED (OLED) array. Thedisplay 725 may also (or alternatively) comprise a display operable overa standard dynamic range (SDR), sometimes also referred to as a “lowdynamic range” (LDR).

An input receiver 714 may comprise one or more electromechanicalswitches, which may be implemented as buttons, escutcheons,microelectromechanical sensors (MEMS) or other sensors, dual in-linepackage (DIP) switch, etc. The input receiver 714 may also comprisecursor and trigger controls such as a mouse, joystick, etc. and/or akeyboard. The keyboard may comprise an array of alphanumeric and/orideographic, syllabary based keys operable for typing correspondingletters, number, and/or other symbols. The keyboard may also comprise anarray of directional (e.g., “up/down,” “left/right”) keys, operable forcommunicating commands and data selections to the CPU 704 and forcontrolling movement of a cursor rendering over the touchscreen display725.

The directional keys may be operable for presenting two (2) degrees offreedom of a cursor, over at least two (2) perpendicularly disposed axespresented on the display component of the touchscreen 725. A first ‘x’axis is disposed horizontally. A second ‘y’ axis, complimentary to thefirst axis, is disposed vertically. Thus, the printing evaluation system300 is thus operable for specifying positions over a representation of ageometric plane and/or other coordinate systems.

Execution of instruction sequences contained in the storage media 710and main memory 706 cause the CPU 704 to perform processing related togeneral operations of the computer 701, the DSP/GPU 744 to performvarious other processing operations, and the components of the printingsystem 100 to perform processing steps related to the example method 20(FIG. 2A). Additionally or alternatively, hard-wired circuitry may beused in place of, or in combination with the software instructions.Thus, the computer 701 is not limited to any specific combination ofcircuitry, hardware, firmware, or software.

The term “computer readable storage medium,” as used herein, may referto any non-transitory storage medium that participates in providinginstructions to the various processor components of the computer 701 forexecution. Such a medium may take various forms including, but notlimited to, non-volatile media, volatile media, and transmission media.Non-volatile media comprises, for example, configured/programmed activeelements of the GRUI 41 (and other components of the control system 40)the CPU 704, the DSP/GPU 744, the non-transitory image related media710, stored instructions 783, and other optical, electronic, or magneticmedia. Volatile media comprises dynamic memory associated, e.g., withthe RAM 706.

Transmission media comprises coaxial cables, copper wire and otherelectrical conductors and fiber optics, including the wires (and/orother conductors or optics) that comprise the data bus 702.

Transmission media can also take the form of electromagnetic radiation(e.g., light waves), such as may be generated at a radio frequency (RF),and infrared (IR) and other optical frequencies. Data communications mayalso be effectuated using other means, including acoustic (e.g., soundrelated) or other mechanical, vibrational, or phonon related media.

Non-transitory computer-readable storage media may comprise, forexample, flash drives such as may be accessible via universal serial bus(USB) or any medium from which the computer 701 can access, read,receive, and retrieve data.

Various forms of non-transitory computer readable storage media may beinvolved in carrying one or more sequences of one or more instructionsto CPU 704 for execution. For example, the instructions may initially becarried on a magnetic or other disk of a remote computer (e.g., computer798). The remote computer can load the instructions into its dynamicmemory and send the instructions over networks 788.

The printing system 100 can receive the data over the network 788 anduse an infrared (IR), radio frequency (RF), or other transmitter meansto convert the data to corresponding signals. An IR, RF or other signaldetector or receiver (“receiver”) coupled to the data bus 702 canreceive the data carried in the corresponding signals and place the dataon data bus 702. The operations associated with the transmitter and thereceiver may be combined in a transmitter/receiver (transceiver) means.The transmitter, receiver, and/or transceiver means may be associatedwith the interfaces 718.

The data bus 702 carries the data to main memory 706, from which CPU 704and the DSP/GPU 744 retrieve and execute the instructions. Theinstructions received by main memory 706 may optionally be stored onstorage device 710 either before or after execution by CPU 704.

The interfaces 718 may comprise a communication interface coupled to thedata bus 702. The communication interface is operable for providing atwo-way (or more) data communication coupling to a network link 720,which may connect wirelessly over RF to the network 788. Wirelesscommunication may also be implemented optically, e.g., at IRfrequencies.

Signals may be exchanged via the interfaces 718 with an external device799 (e.g., another computer or external storage device) through acompatible communication port 719. The input receiver 417 may providesignals to the GRUI 41 and other components of the control system 40 andthe computer 701 via the port 719.

In any implementation, the communication interface 718 sends andreceives electrical, electromagnetic, or optical signals that carrydigital data streams representing various types of information. Thenetwork link 720 provides data communication through the network 788 toother data devices. The input receiver 417 may provide signals to theprinter system 100 and other components of the computer 701 via thenetwork links 720 and/or the data communications network 788.

The network 788 may use one or more of electrical, electromagnetic,and/or optical signals carrying digital data streams. The signals sentover the network 788 and through the network link 720 and communicationinterface 718 carry the digital data to and from the printing evaluationsystem 300. The printing evaluation system 300 can send messages andreceive data, including program code, through the network 788, networklink 720, and communication interface 718.

To supplement the present disclosure, this application incorporatesentirely by reference the following commonly assigned patents, patentapplication publications, and patent applications:

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Example embodiments of the present invention are thus described inrelation to a system and method for printing media products. An exampleembodiment of the present invention relates to a system for printing anindicia on a graphic medium. The printing system comprises a printmechanism and a controller. The print mechanism is operable for markinga plurality of printouts of the indicia at a target position on thegraphic medium, and for outputting a corresponding printed mediaproduct. The printed media product comprises a first output group of themarked printouts, and continuous with the output of the first group ofprintouts, at least one output group of the printouts marked subsequentto the first output group. The controller is operable for adjusting theprint mechanism in response to an input related to an evaluation of theprintouts marked on the first output group. The adjusting of the printmechanism conforms a position at which the printouts are marked in theat least one subsequent output group spatially to the target position.

Example embodiments of the present invention are thus useful, forexample, in printing small labels, and labels upon which the text,barcodes, and/or other graphics or indicia that fill most of the area ofthe label, which has a small margin. Example embodiments of the presentinvention may also thus reduce waste related to improper,non-conforming, or otherwise defective labels, and thus avoid associateddelays and corresponding expense. Further, example embodiments of thepresent invention may thus prevent or reduce delays in the print jobsand associated printing system downtime, diversions of operatorattention ore administrator intervention, and costs associated withboth.

For clarity and brevity, as well as to avoid unnecessary or unhelpfulobfuscating, obscuring, obstructing, or occluding features of an exampleembodiment, certain intricacies and details, which are known generallyto artisans of ordinary skill in related technologies, may have beenomitted or discussed in less than exhaustive detail. Any such omissionsor discussions are neither necessary for describing example embodimentsof the invention, nor particularly relevant to understanding ofsignificant elements, features, functions, and aspects of the exampleembodiments described herein.

In the specification and/or figures, typical embodiments of theinvention have been disclosed. The present invention is not limited tosuch example embodiments. The use of the term “and/or” includes any andall combinations of one or more of the associated listed items, and theterm “or” is used in an inclusive (and not exclusive) sense. The figuresare schematic representations and so are not necessarily drawn to scale.Unless otherwise noted, specific terms have been used in a generic anddescriptive sense and not for purposes of limitation.

What is claimed is:
 1. A system for printing an indicia on a graphicmedium, the printing system comprising: a print mechanism operable tomark a plurality of printouts of the indicia at a target position on thegraphic medium and for outputting a printed media product, the printedmedia product comprising a first output group of the marked printouts,and continuous with the output of the first group of printouts, at leastone output group of the printouts marked subsequent to the first outputgroup; a product observer operable to observe a spatial relationshipbetween the printouts of the indicia and the graphic medium, and outputa print adjustment control input; and a controller operable to adjustthe print mechanism in response to receiving the print adjustmentcontrol input, wherein the adjusting conforms a position at which theprintouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output groupspatially with the target position.
 2. The system as described in claim1 wherein the target position comprises an area of a surface of asubstrate of the graphic medium over which the marks are designated foreach of the printouts.
 3. The system as described in claim 2 wherein thegraphic medium substrate comprises a first edge and a second edge, thesecond edge parallel to and opposite from the first edge, and whereinthe area of the target position comprises one or more of: an upper boundseparated by a first designated distance from the first edge of thegraphic medium substrate; or a lower bound separated by a seconddesignated distance from the first edge of the graphic medium substrate.4. The system as described in claim 2, further comprising a feedmechanism operable to supply the graphic medium substrate to the printmechanism.
 5. The system as described in claim 4 wherein the adjustingof the print mechanism comprises a response to a change in an operatingcharacteristic of the feed mechanism.
 6. The system as described inclaim 1 wherein the printed media product comprises a plurality oflabels.
 7. The system as described in claim 6 wherein each of the labelscomprises a ‘small’ label for application with a correspondingly smallitem.
 8. The system as described in claim 6 wherein each of the labelscomprises a ‘large’ label, the large label comprising a ‘small’ marginabout the indicia and for application with a correspondingly large item.9. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the indicia comprises asymbol.
 10. The system as described in claim 9 wherein the symbolcomprises one or more of alphanumeric, character, or syllabary basedtext, or ideographic, pictographic, or emblematic based graphics. 11.The system as described in claim 1 wherein the indicia comprises one ormore of a one dimensional (1D) or a two dimensional (2D) data pattern.12. The system as described in claim 1 further comprising a graphicaluser interface (GUI) operable to manually output the print adjustmentcontrol input signal to the controller.
 13. The system as described inclaim 12 wherein the GUI is further operable to display an indicationrelating to the adjusting of the print mechanism.
 14. The system asdescribed in claim 13 wherein the displayed indication relates to adegree of adjustment corresponding to the adjusting of the printmechanism.
 15. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the printmedium substrate comprises a thermally sensitive material, and whereinthe print mechanism comprises a thermal printhead wherein the markingthe plurality of printouts of the indicia comprises a thermal marking.16. The system as described in claim 1 wherein the print mediumsubstrate comprises one or more of a paper material or a plasticmaterial, and wherein the marking the plurality of printouts of theindicia comprises marking the print medium substrate with a compatiblemarking material.
 17. A method for printing an indicia on a graphicmedium, the printing method comprising the steps of: marking a pluralityof printouts of the indicia at a target position on a substrate of thegraphic medium, the target position comprising an area of a surface ofthe substrate of the graphic medium over which the marking is designatedfor each of the printouts; outputting a first output group of the markedprintouts; upon the outputting of the first output group of the markedprintouts and in continuity therewith, outputting at least one outputgroup of the printouts marked subsequent to the first output group;observing a spatial relationship between the printouts of the indiciaand the graphic medium with an automated product observer that outputs aprint adjustment control input; and adjusting the marking of theprintouts of the indicia in response to the print adjustment controlinput, wherein the adjusting step conforms a position at which theprintouts are marked in the at least one subsequent output groupspatially to the target position.
 18. The method as described in claim17 wherein the graphic medium substrate comprises a first edge and asecond edge, the second edge parallel to and opposite from the firstedge, and wherein the area of the target position comprises one or moreof: an upper bound separated by a first designated distance from thefirst edge of the graphic medium substrate; or a lower bound separatedby a second designated distance from the first edge of the graphicmedium substrate.
 19. The method as described in claim 17, furthercomprising feeding the graphic medium substrate for the marking of theprintouts of the indicia wherein the adjusting of the marking of theprintouts comprises a response to a change in a characteristic of thefeeding of the graphic medium substrate.